Esks.com
EDMONTON — Eighty-five players dressed in the Eskimos’ pre-season opener on Sunday, but the numbers didn’t stop a handful of newcomers from making an early statement.
Running backs Shaq Cooper and Jordan Robinson each scored a touchdown in their first foray into the three-down game, while defensive end Gerald Rivers had back-to-backs sacks in a 35-12 win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
For Jason Maas, the results on the field confirmed what the Eskimos’ third-year head coach had seen throughout the first week of training camp.
“You learn more from three reps in a live game than you learn in 10 reps in practice,” Maas explained. “Everything we’ve been seeing in practice showed up in this game.”
Cooper had already been pegged as a possible future star going into training camp. The 25-year-old out of Fort Hays State made waves at the team’s Las Vegas mini-camp last month, while both he and Robinson knew they’d have an opportunity to make the roster following the release of three veterans in LaDarius Perkins, John White and Travon Van.
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Esks rookie running back Shaq Cooper celebrates after scoring in pre-season action (The Canadian Press)
With the depth chart wide open behind C.J. Gable, who’s cemented as the Eskimos’ starter, Cooper flashed big-time production in the pre-season opener with 70 yards on just seven touches, including three receptions.
“He’s got something to him,” said Maas. “When he has the ball in his hands he makes something happen. He’s made something happen since mini-camp, since the first moment he’s touched the ball. It’s about him getting an opportunity, whenever that may be, and what kind of opportunity that may be. But so far he’s made the most of them.”
Cooper scored on an 11-yard touchdown run to put the Eskimos ahead 21-9 with under a minute to go in the first half.
While Cooper’s production was consistent, Robinson did most of his damage on one play, albeit an impressive one. With a few minutes left in the third quarter and Edmonton leading 21-12, the 23-year-old out of Sacramento State took the handoff from Mike Reilly, found a small crease in the front-seven and then put the stutter step on the safety in the open field, sprinting for a 37-yard score.
The Eskimos liked Robinson at a tryout right before their mini-camp but couldn’t work out the numbers. But as space opened up, Maas didn’t hesitate to bring him to training camp.
“We were excited to get him up here when we had the numbers and opportunity,” said Maas. “We’ve seen him in practice do some amazing things with the ball in his hands. Again, same guy. He’s silky smooth with it, he makes some really good cuts.
“He has ability. [Robinson and Cooper] just need opportunities and we’ll see when the next one comes for them both.”
Also making the most of his opportunity was Gerald Rivers, a 27-year-old defensive end out of Ole Miss who’s in the CFL after a stint with the NFL’s Houston Texans.
Despite still getting used to lining up a yard off the ball, Rivers recorded sacks on back-to-back plays against Riders quarterback Marquise Williams, eventually setting up Robinson’s 37-yard touchdown run.
Rivers says it feels good to be back on the field after a frustrating road to recovery following hip surgery.
“It was good,” said Rivers. “We had a good rush on the first one, the next one we ran a game on the inside and my tackle was able to pick the other tackle and come inside, so it was a good teamwork thing there.
“This D-line group, they want to eat. We’ve got some dogs out here and it’s going to be a great year, a great season. They’ve embraced me and everything, it’s been awesome.”
The Eskimos have apparently had their sights on Rivers for a while — since his senior year in college, in fact.
Maas said the 6-foot-5, 255-pound end has the things you can’t teach.
“We know he’s long, he’s athletic. He tests through the roof . . . He had a couple of sacks and I don’t care what league you play in, if the first opportunity you get in this game you get a couple of sacks, it’s a big deal.
“I’m sure he’ll look at the film and know there are little things he needs to work on to get better. But I like the fact that the first game in he had some production. He made the most of his opportunity and he’s a hard worker as well, he’s been great in the classroom.
“One of the studious guys in there learning the game and trying and you like to see a guy like that perform.”
With the Eskimos expected to rest most of their starters in Friday’s pre-season finale in Winnipeg, there could be plenty more opportunities for new faces to step up. Then, if all goes well, it’s on to the regular season on June 14 vs. the very same Bombers.
– With files from Esks.com
